The Australian Boomers have finished second in the Boris Stankovic Cup tournament in China, losing to Angola over night in the final, 66-85.

The Boomers, who beat Angola only two days ago, fell behind early in the game, with the African side playing a much more aggressive brand of basketball, the Boomers unable to make up the necessary ground in the second half.

Angola attacked the Boomers’ defence early — the key to the Aussies' success all tournament — and were getting to the basket effectively, Angola’s inaccuracy from the free-throw line keeping things close early.

With the scores at four a piece, Angola quickly shot out to a 16-5 lead mid-way through the first period, continuing the onslaught until the end of the quarter, securing a 24-8 advantage at quarter time.

Mid-way through the second term, trailing by 19 points, the Aussies switched to a smaller, quicker line-up in an attempt to disrupt the rhythm of their opponent, while sparking their own offence: it seemed to be working.  

The Boomers held the Angola side and made some critical buckets from range at the other end, drawing to within 10 points before half time. But a couple of late Angola baskets stretched the lead back to 14 points heading into the change rooms, 41-27.

Again the Boomers came into the third term with renewed intensity, drawing to within 10 points early in the second half. But that seemed to be the deficit barrier that they couldn’t overcome, as Angola again pulled away, thanks to some long range shooting from Joaquim Gomes, as the lead was back out to 18 points, too much for the Boomers to rein in.

Angola led by 23 points at three-quarter time, but to the Boomers’ credit, they played out the game, ultimately falling to the African side by 19 points.

For the Boomers, Mark Worthington top-scored with 11 points while Luke Shenscher, Hugh Greenwood and Jesse Wagstaff all finished with 10 points each.

For Angola, Carlos Morais had 26 points shooting 6-9 from beyond the arc, while Joaquim added 21 points.

Basketball Australia